| Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks | |
| Bgcolor: |
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| Fontcolor: | white |
| League: | World League of American Football (NFL Europe) |
| Founded: | 1991 |
| Closed: | 1991 |
| Field: | Carter–Finley Stadium |
| Location: | Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Colors: | Red, Kelly Green, Black, White[1] |
| Record: | Regular Season: 0–10 |
The Raleigh–Durham Skyhawks were an American football team headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina that played for one season in 1991 in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The name was inspired by the Wright brothers' flights on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The three jet-trails and three planes in flight, as well as the triangle design in the logo, represented the three points of the Research Triangle area (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill). The team's cheerleaders were known as the "Kittyhawks."
The name was chosen by Raleigh citizens, the choices being the Skyhawks, Daredevils, or Rogues as published in the News and Observer. The Skyhawks' home field was N.C. State's Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Then-Charlotte Hornets owner George Shinn owned the franchise, and the head coach was former NFL player and N.C. State alumnus Roman Gabriel.
The team had a 0–10 record in the 1991 season and averaged 12,066 spectators per game due in part to the lack of beer sales, which were not allowed at (technically) on-campus Carter–Finley Stadium. During the 1991 season, the three Europe-based teams dominated the franchises in North America. In mid season, the Skyhawks came close to beating the Frankfurt Galaxy in Germany, but lost 30-28 to a team that was coached by Jack Elway and finished the season 7-3, considered by some as the league's second best. The Skyhawks folded after their lone season of 1991. To replace them for the 1992 season, the WLAF established a new franchise in Columbus, Ohio, naming it the Ohio Glory. After a two year hiatus, the league resumed in 1995 with new focus as NFL Europe.
The Skyhawks' lack of success did not sour the NFL on the whole state, as in 1995, Charlotte welcomed the expansion Carolina Panthers franchise. Professional sports would return to the Triangle area eight years later when the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL moved there from Greensboro, North Carolina to play ice hockey in their newly constructed arena.
| Week | Date | Kickoff | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4:00 p.m. | at Sacramento Surge | L 3–9 | 0–1 | Hughes Stadium | 15,126 | ||
| 2 | 8:00 p.m. | at Orlando Thunder | L 20–58 | 0–2 | Florida Citrus Bowl | 20,811 | ||
| 3 | 8:00 p.m. | Barcelona Dragons | L 14–26 | 0–3 | Carter–Finley Stadium | 17,900 | ||
| 4 | 8:00 p.m. | San Antonio Riders | L 15–37 | 0–4 | Carter–Finley Stadium | 11,818 | ||
| 5 | 8:00 p.m. | at Frankfurt Galaxy | L 28–30 | 0–5 | Waldstadion | 21,065 | ||
| 6 | April 28 | 6:00 p.m. | at London Monarchs | L 10–35 | 0–6 | Wembley Stadium | 33,997 | |
| 7 | May 5 | 1:00 p.m. | New York/New Jersey Knights | L 6–42 | 0–7 | Carter–Finley Stadium | 10,069 | |
| 8 | 8:00 p.m. | at Montreal Machine | L 6–15 | 0–8 | Olympic Stadium | 20,123 | ||
| 9 | 8:00 p.m. | Orlando Thunder | L 14–20 | 0–9 | Carter–Finley Stadium | 4,207 | ||
| 10 | 3:00 p.m. | Birmingham Fire | L 7–28 | 0–10 | Carter–Finley Stadium | 16,335 |